Avoiding the sweep: Aeros 4, Wolves 3

I guess one of us should write something about last night. I know how hard it is to write about this team when there's no "future" so I can't imagine how hard it is to get up for games as a player.

Obviously, as Constantine spoke to us about last night, there are still scouts coming to the games and a large portion of the team has next year's contract to play for, or will be trying to make it to the Wild. And of course personal pride of effort to play for.

As he said (and this struck me because I've learned this personally from playing goal), you're gonna go home after a game either feeling good that you did your best and gave an honest effort, or you're gonna go home feeling like poo because you didn't. There's not a lot of middle ground there and by his estimation, the team was a little embarrassed by Wednesday's 4-0 drubbing.

So, another enjoyable, but meaningless game in the books. Nice to avoid a season series sweep by the dominating Wolves, but thanks to several of their ringers for being out with injuries. No question that helped muffle the Wolves offense.

Of course, I'm still trippin' on the new goalie love for Darcy Kuemper, and wrote some more about it for one of my other gigs over at InGoal Magazine.

It was a real joy to speak with him after the game. He was about to go supernova, he was so excited, and it really epitomizes why I love covering this level of hockey.

BTW, the Wild are swapping Dubielewicz for Khudobin today as they are headed for a couple of games in Canada. So, Anton will be back with the Aeros for a few days.

-------------------

What's with the oddball refs lately? The guy last night, who is the son of NHL ref Kerry Fraser, really made me miss the low-interference of Jeff Smith. Long discussions after several plays and lots of penalties really affected the flow of the game IMO.

Honestly, the whole game felt a bit odd, but perhaps that's because the guys were playing with purpose like they haven't for a while. It was revealing watching the Kings vs. Canucks Thursday night because, between the Aeros and Wild, I've been mostly watching hockey from teams who have no playoff interests. There's a definite difference.

----------------------

Only two more, gang. Unless you plan to get to Austin tonight or San Antonio for Game #80 on April 11th. But April 10 will be the last time we see this team. As I mentioned, we went through the roster during a break last night and there are lots of UFAs and guys with AHL contracts on this roster, so it will look very different next year.

What I would love to see is the occasional guy come back. I know other teams do this, but the Aeros haven't for a while. I suppose it's a testament to Kevin Constantine and his staff that so many guys play well and the Wild/Aeros simply aren't willing to shell out for their increased market value.

I think Daoust is a guy they should try to get back. And Rau seems like a good fit, too. But we'll talk more about the changing state of the Aeros roster after the season. Andrew will probably have some good stuff there later on.

Meanwhile, Happy Easter, if you celebrate it. Otherwise, enjoy 75% off chocolate at your local CVS or Walgreens on Monday! See you Tuesday when Rockford, who clinched a playoff spot last night, comes to town.

Happy Friday: A few little updates

The AHL is releasing its regular season awards this week, starting with the All Rookie team, on which the Aeros had no representation but I can't really argue with the picks.

Yesterday, they announced the first and second All Star teams for the season. The Aeros' own Max "Defies the Laws of Physics" Noreau was voted to the second team for his amazing offensive numbers and general badassery this season. Here's the release from the AHL. Note that 8 of the 12 are eastern conference teams, which seems a little bit skewed to me, but what do I know?

Congrats to Max, who has certainly had a season worthy of such accolades.

---------------------------

I write occasionally about the Aeros prospects over at a site called Wild Nation, and of course, with a new baby goalie in the house Wednesday, I had to give a little update. So if you want my take on Wednesday's game, Kuemper's debut, and the general sense of "what's next?" I'm feeling as the season winds down, go check it out.

To me, it seemed the defense played their stones off in front of Kuemper in the third period, in stark contrast to their play the first two periods. And if protecting the baby goalie is enough to light a fire under this team to play to their ability, I might take a chance and play him against Chicago tonight if I'm KC. But I'm not, of course.

He had a great first experience, and now it's time for a taste of reality. :) Get the full pro experience, right? But I guess we'll see tonight at 7:30 when the boys hit the ice.

------------------------

There apparently was some hope in Florida that they might get Brusty back for the end of the playoffs, but according to the team, they're not putting him on the playoff roster because his recovery from foot surgery is going to take longer than they anticipated. Of course, Coach Cameron also said he had the surgery a week before he actually had it, so... take it all with a grain of salt.

BrustyBobble stares blankly, but pleasantly, at this news. Probably wondering where his goalie stick is and hoping nobody aims for the face.

Just A Slight Favor, If You Don't Mind

I hope Andrew, Fred, and Heather, will excuse me for what I'm about to do, because I didn't ask for their permission, but this is for my niece, and I'll do anything for my niece.

My niece Hannah is autistic. She's lucky. She's got a mild form of autisim, and is highly functioning. She's eight. She's in mainstream second grade. She's very outgoing. She makes good grades. She has lots of friends. But at about age three, she suddenly lost the ability to speak, she wouldn't eat, and she was terrified of children her age. My sister-in-law tells the story here. My brother and sister-in-law, Hannah, and her brother and sister, were lucky in that Hannah was diagnosed pretty quickly, and they were able to get her the proper care and treatment that she needs. And since she's got a very mild form, you wouldn't even know she was autistic.

But they're lucky. There are lots of children with autisim. And many of these children don't get the proper treatment because doctors don't spot it, or the insurance companies won't pay for the treatment because they don't consider it to be a medical problem, or the child has a severe case. It's a cliche, and most aren't that bad, but the Dustin Hoffman "Rainman" character is not far off for lots of autistic kids. The TV show Parenthood is doing a good job of having a child with a mild autism and having the family adjust after they get the diagnosis.

Now for the reason I'm writing. My brother and sister-in-law live in Austin. And they're getting together people to take place in a charity walk in October. I'm not asking for people to drive out to Austin and walk. You can if you want, and I'm sure that there'll be one in Houston. But if you don't mind, if you can spare it, go to their site and donate a few bucks to the charity so that people who aren't as lucky as they are can get the treatment they need for their kids, and maybe, just maybe, some kind of cure can be found.

Sorry for the interruption from our normal programming. And take out your anger on me, not Andrew, Heather, and Fred, because I didn't tell them I was going to do this.

3/31/10 -- Aeros v. Wolves -- Everybody Hurts

After being absent recently because of other, somewhat more pressing mothership duties -- I was off covering the NCAA Regional Finals (aka the Sweet 16 and Elite 8) -- I returned to Toyota Center for last night's Aeros game versus the Chicago Wolves. And let's just say that I don't think I've missed too much as the Aeros lost 4-0.

I had three highlights.

Number one: I generally bitch about the audio guys and their music selections a lot. But last night, they had a genius moment. After the third Chicago goal -- one on which Wade Dubielewicz appeared to be screened by his entire team -- the sound guys busted out R.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts." It was just serendipity. It was perfect. Kismet. Never has a song so matched the moment. And as Heather said, someone is so getting fired.



Number two: during the first intermission, there was a group of kids singing "God Bless America." Right in front of those kids, there was another set of kids signing "God Bless America." Heather, who was in her own world, looked up from whatever she was doing, saw the kids, and wanted to know why they were doing "YMCA" during "God Bless America."

Number three: I talked to Matt Kassian last night about his being team's Humanitarian of the Year, which makes him the nominee for the league's award. I remember talking to Brandon Rogers when he got this last year, so I know how much this stuff means to the players. And Matt, who is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, gave me some really great stuff for a story I'm going to write for the mothership.

That Kassian story was going to be for today's mothership story, but the Houston Cougars interfered last night and decided to name a new coach for the men's basketball team, so the Kassian thing will run next week.

Do I have any thoughts on the game? Are you kidding, did you see the game? I don't think there were any highlights. Because the wireless was screwed up yet again, I spent the third period down in the press room, writing my mothership post on the Cougars, so I didn't get to see the young kid, Darcy Kuemper, play. I'm sure Heather will contribute some words on that later. Andrew talked to him after the game, while I was with Kassian, and he says Kuemper looks to be about 13.

The Aeros give it another try to tomorrow night. So maybe they'll have some better luck. Hah, who am I kidding? Did you see them play last night?

AHL announces all-rookie team

No Aeros on this list.

Chad Rau is the team's top rookie this year, and he is on an AHL-only contract (as in not drafted by Minnesota).
Rau was originally selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 7th round (228th overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

I like Chad's game, and he scored a couple of very nice goals against Peoria last weekend.
Hope he gets another deal for next season.

Here is the official All-rookie courtesy of the AHL:

2009-10 AHL All-Rookie Team


Goaltender: Alex Stalock, Worcester Sharks (56gp, 37-16-2, 2.63gaa, .908sv%, 3so)
Defenseman: John Carlson, Hershey Bears (48gp, 4+35=39pts., +37)
Defenseman: P.K. Subban, Hamilton Bulldogs (71gp, 18+34=52pts., +43)
Forward: Logan Couture, Worcester Sharks (42gp, 20+33=53pts.)
Forward: Lars Eller, Peoria Rivermen (66gp, 16+37=53pts.)
Forward: Tyler Ennis, Portland Pirates (69gp, 23+42=65pts.)

Rookie Darcy Kuemper will suit up tonight

Earlier this week, Anton Khudobin was called up to the Wild to back up Nicklas Backstrom.
Josh Harding, who probably needed surgery the last time he hurt himself, REALLY needs surgery now.
Khudobin will be with the big club for the rest of the year, and with Barry Brust on the shelf, that left the Aeros with no No. 2 netminder.

Thanks to the Red Deer Rebels getting eliminated from the playoffs, the Aeros now have a backup in Darcy Kuemper.
He will dress tonight, and even though it is unlikely, he could get the start against the Wolves tonight. Personally, I love Wade Dubielewicz, but he's had a rough go against the Wolves and he put two pucks in his own net Sunday against Peoria.

My gut tells me this guy is closer to Kyle Kettles than, say a Josh Harding, who was really good when he was with the Aeros. But we'll see. T3I has gotten somewhat of a scouting report from the Red Deer beat writer, and there was nothing to make me think the Aeros are getting a preview of their next No. 1 goalie. In fact, I think the general sentiment was that Kuemper would benefit from another year in the WHL.

In other news:

The Aeros will also get Marco Scandella for the rest of the year, but he probably will not get in town in time to dress tonight. Possible, but not likely. Look for him, though, to be in the lineup Friday against the Wolves.

Not really much to play for on the Aeros side as the team will look COMPLETELY different next year ... but, the Wolves. Man, they have to win these two against the Aeros, and expect them to do just that. The Stars are only six points back in the standings and are playing the best of any team in the division right now. The Wolves want home ice and are probably the favorite to come out of the division if they get it.

That is all for now. See you at the rink.

Andrew

Pictures from NASA night!

I remember this game from a few weeks ago (March 12 to be exact) ... but I had forgotten that it was NASA night.

The Aeros' front office has done their fair share of "nights" to get the Aeros out of their funk.

They brought in astronauts, former presidents and even Cardinal DiNardo.

I guess that is better than "Let's blow a two-goal lead" night!

For the record, the first George Bush is the only celebrity to have brought the team any luck.

Maybe, for John's sake, we can get Taylor Swift in the building before the year comes to an end.

Interesting piece on relocation

In my reading last night, I came across this piece.

It discusses the possible sites of relocation should an NHL team decide to move.

Houston is always in the mix, but, as per the usual, is in the second tier or so.

Give it a look and comment on what you think.

Tickets to NHL games in Houston would mirror those of what Stars fans are paying.
Would you support the NHL in Houston?

Moving right along: Aeros 3, Monsters 2

I almost forgot about the letter W, it's been so long and so rare that the Aeros have won.

A win is great and loooong overdue, but this one makes me a little bit sad. Hear me out:

The game was between two teams who are out of the playoff hunt, nobody really had much on the line, not much in the way of physical play. Not flat, but not mountainous either, if you know what I mean. Just a steady pace from both teams.

And then early in the third, the Monster's Philippe Dupuis checked Cody Almond into the boards along the Aeros bench. Together, they had enough forward momentum that they went down the boards shoulder-to-shoulder and Almond got his head creamed into the pad that covers the corner of the glass at the end of the bench.

They showed it a few times and man, he was lucky to leave the ice on his feet instead of a stretcher. Whip lash, bitches. Big time.

I was thinking, before I saw the replay, "Why isn't anybody going after that guy?" Well, it just took a minute. Danny Irmen stood up for his teammate on a shift not long after, though there wasn't much to the fight, but that wasn't the point. Dupuis kinda sorta had to answer for his actions, because this is hockey and that's how it's done.

What happened after that, though, is the part that makes me sad. Suddenly, the energy on the ice and in the building completely changed. The boys were FIRED UP. There was passion like I've rarely seen from this team. They were united; playing for each other.

Maybe I'm making up drama that wasn't there (wouldn't be the first time), but I don't think so. Gillies got a penalty shortly after all this and I've never seen the kid so mad in the box. Great stuff. And lots of chippiness from everyone until DiSalvatore tied it up 11 minutes into the third on a power play.

But here's what bums me out: Why did a key member of the team have to have his head lopped off for this team to suddenly find some unity and passion? All season long, they've been hard working, high character, tough to play against. All those things promised at the beginning of the season. But no passion, no spark.

So, I just have to wonder... if they'd been able to find that "playforeachother"ness that I saw tonight back in, say, December, I really think we'd be buying playoff tickets right now instead of renewing season tickets.

Untapped potential, unfulfilled promise: Always a bit disappointing. But I don't mean to be such a Debbie Downer. It was a spirited win and the boys deserve credit for figuring out to---for heaven's sake---shoot high on Weiman. Wow. Did you see that? Both DiSalvatore and Earl's goals about put a hole in the roof of the net. Weiman didn't even come close. But they were great shots, too.Can't deny that.

Anyway, the Aeros now have 71 points, thus crushing my dream of them ending the season with 69 points. I know it's incredibly juvenile but that's what happens when you're into garbage time. You start getting punchy with nothing new to say.

No John tonight, so this and the paper are as good as it gets for game detail. Sorry about that. Andrew might have some more for ya later, too.



PS... I also wanted to give props to the Aeros staff for changing the Stars of the Game on the fly when Earl scored the game winner. Normally the stars are chosen 5 mins before regulation is over which means with overtime and shootout dramatics, they can sometimes be a bit bewildering. So kudos for calling an audible and getting it right. All teams should do that.

An epilogue to the Garrett Gamble Story

The Montreal Gazette wrote a story about the death of Garrett Gamble and how his father, former Aeros and Canucks goalie Troy, is dealing with the pain of losing a son.

I wanted to share since it does contain some fairly powerful quotes from Troy.

Also, the writer explains why Troy never made it as a No. 1 goalie in the NHL. For those of you wondering, I have included that graph if you don't want to go to the Web site and read the entire piece for yourself.

"Dedicated Canucks fans will remember Gamble’s goaltending career with the team was brief, in part because it was cut short by repeated concussions and also the emergence of Kirk McLean in the early 1990s. How good he could have been without the shots to the head or his difficulties with conditioning will never be known, but while he was in Vancouver he had Garrett with him."